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Controlling file placement on a disk drive to improve file access

a technology for controlling file placement and file access, applied in the direction of input/output to record carriers, instruments, computing, etc., can solve the problems of system performance continuing to suffer, disk fragmentation tending to get worse,

Active Publication Date: 2017-08-17
LENOVO GLOBAL TECH INT LTD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for optimizing access to files stored on a single disk by identifying a file access sequence involving two files and determining the time difference between when the first file is accessed and when the second file is accessed. The method also involves migrating one or both of the files to a new location on the disk to reduce access time. Additionally, the invention provides a computer program product that involves obtaining a usage history for a disk drive and allocating regions on the drive based on the usage ratios of file types to optimize file storage.

Problems solved by technology

Over a long period of use, disk fragmentation tends to get worse and system performance will continue to suffer.

Method used

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  • Controlling file placement on a disk drive to improve file access
  • Controlling file placement on a disk drive to improve file access
  • Controlling file placement on a disk drive to improve file access

Examples

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first embodiment

[0041]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a hard disk 52 storing an identified sequence of three files in accordance with the invention. The three files include a first file (File1), a second file (FileA) and a third file (FileZ). In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, access to files that are stored on the disk 52 have been tracked, and a file access sequence has been identified as involving the first file (File1) and the second file (FileA) stored on the disk, wherein the first file (File1) is accessed before the second file (FileA). In fact, this illustration includes a third file (FileZ) that is accessed after the second file (FileA). Furthermore, the data obtain by tracking access to files on the disk allows a determination of a time differential (T=4) between a time that the first file is accessed and a time that the second file is accessed. Similarly, it is possible to determine a time differential (T=9) between a time that the first file is accessed and a time...

second embodiment

[0045]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a hard disk 52 having areas of the disk allocated to certain file types in accordance with the invention. In this example, the disk includes regions allocated to images, media, productivity apps, gaming apps, and documents. The size and placement of each region is determined on the basis of a disk drive usage history associated with a particular user.

[0046]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method 80 in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention. The method includes (step 81) obtaining a usage history for a disk drive, wherein the usage history is attributable to a certain user; (step 82) allocating regions on the disk drive based on usage ratios of file types determined from the usage history; and (step 83) storing files of a given file type in a region of the disk that has been allocated for storage of files of the given file type.

[0047]As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a...

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PUM

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Abstract

A method includes tracking access to files that are stored on a single disk, and identifying a file access sequence involving a first file and a second file stored on the disk, wherein the first file is accessed before the second file. The method further includes determining a time differential between a time that the first file is accessed and a time that the second file is accessed, and determining a direction and speed at which a drive head of the disk can move between sectors and tracks of the disk. Still further, the method includes migrating one or both of the first and second files to a new location on the disk so that, after the drive head of the disk has read the first file, the drive head is repositioned at a beginning of the second file in a period of time that is a function of the time differential.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to data storage on a disk drive and how to organize files on the disk drive.[0003]Background of the Related Art[0004]A hard disk drive is a data storage device including one or more rotating disks coated with magnetic material. An actuator arm is controllable moved to position a read / write head in alignment with a desired track as the disk rotates under the read / write head. The amount of time required to access data on the hard disk drive (“access time”) is affected by the amount of time required to move the read / write head to the desired track (“seek time”), the amount of time required for the desired disk sector to rotate under the already positioned read / write head (“rotational latency”), and the rate at which data can be transferred from the disk and a disk buffer to an attached computer (“data transfer rate”). The seek time is generally determined by the design of a voice coil designed to rotate an arm th...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): G06F3/06
CPCG06F3/0647G06F3/0613G06F3/0631G06F3/0676G06F3/0643G06F3/061G06F3/064
Inventor ALSHINNAWI, SHAREEF F.CUDAK, GARY D.WEBER, J. MARKHERMAN, JOSEPH F.
Owner LENOVO GLOBAL TECH INT LTD